Police tow 60 vehicles in sideshow crackdown

OAKLAND >> Officers towed 60 vehicles and issued 17 citations in connection with an illegal sideshow Thursday night in Oakland, police said.

Around 8:30 p.m., a caravan of 350 vehicles arrived in the city and participants tried to take over intersections along Telegraph Avenue, according to the Oakland Police Department.

Police said the group relocated to 20th Street and Broadway, where some in the crowd threw fireworks and bottles at officers.

Participants then drove to 29th Avenue and International Boulevard, where they took over the intersection, police said. Officers were able to contain the participants and towed their vehicles.

According to police, in addition to towing vehicles and issuing citations, officers made two arrests and recovered one firearm.

The crackdown on illegal sideshows will continue through the weekend, police said.

“Violent, disruptive, and illegal behavior will not be tolerated in the city of Oakland,” police said in a news release. “Our investigators will be working to identify those responsible for committing crimes and participating in illegal sideshow activity.”

Police said sideshows have led to serious injury and death, both to spectators and participants.

Anyone with information related to sideshows can contact OPD at 510777-3333 or sideshowtips@oaklandca.gov.